Abstract

Background

Acute respiratory tract infections are one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality
among young children in developing countries. Information on the viral aetiology of
acute respiratory infections in developing countries is very limited. The study was
done to identify viruses associated with acute lower respiratory tract infection among
children less than 5 years.

Method

Nasopharyngeal samples and blood cultures were collected from children less than 5
years who have been hospitalized for acute lower respiratory tract infection. Viruses
and bacteria were identified using Reverse Transcriptase Real-Time Polymerase Chain
Reaction and conventional biochemical techniques.

Results

Out of 128 patients recruited, 33(25.88%%, 95%CI: 18.5% to 34.2%) were positive for
one or more viruses. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) was detected in 18(14.1%, 95%CI:
8.5% to 21.3%) patients followed by Adenoviruses (AdV) in 13(10.2%, 95%CI: 5.5% to
16.7%), Parainfluenza (PIV type: 1, 2, 3) in 4(3.1%, 95%CI: 0.9% to 7.8%) and influenza
B viruses in 1(0.8%, 95%CI: 0.0 to 4.3). Concomitant viral and bacterial co-infection
occurred in two patients. There were no detectable significant differences in the
clinical signs, symptoms and severity for the various pathogens isolated. A total
of 61.1% (22/36) of positive viruses were detected during the rainy season and Respiratory
Syncytial Virus was the most predominant.

Conclusion

The study has demonstrated an important burden of respiratory viruses as major causes
of childhood acute respiratory infection in a tertiary health institution in Ghana.
The data addresses a need for more studies on viral associated respiratory tract infection.